Today’s launch of the WildScan Mobile Application marks a major milestone in ASEAN-WEN’s efforts and continued collaboration to put an end to wildlife trafficking in the region, and around the world.

Wildlife trafficking will remain a major global threat to species loss, ecosystem degradation, and to human health and security – unless we work collaboratively with all key stakeholders, as one community. This is what brings us together today – a common cause, and a shared commitment.

Good morning everyone. I see that most, if not all prosecutors from BiH Prosecutor’s Offices, have come to this conference. This is very encouraging since the topics you will discuss today are critical in reducing corruption, political patronage and crime; all three cited as the key problems facing the citizens.

As we know recurrent crises affect countries around the world, and last year alone killed more than 20,000 people. Today we are focusing on Asia, and I will briefly provide some relevant data points to help set the stage for our discussion. First, in Bangladesh, rising sea levels threaten to drown one-fifth of the country’s landmass, where 18 million people now reside. In Nepal, over 2 million live on potentially hazardous fault lines, where earthquakes could cause severe damage. According to the World Bank, $1 out of $3 dollars in development funding is lost as a result of recurrent crises, totaling $3.8 trillion over the last 30 years.

It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you today to “National Consultation Workshop on Agricultural Extension Policy.” USAID, through its Feed the Future Initiative, is pleased to be able to provide support for the development of an Agriculture Extension Policy in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

USAID is pleased to co-sponsor this forum while we celebrate National SME Week. As the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Plan for 2011-2016 cited, MSMEs account for 99.6 percent of total establishments, 61.2 percent of the country’s total employment and 35.7 percent of the total value added in the Philippine economy.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is investing $4 million this year in Kenya’s immunization program. Speaking as a donor, I can tell you that childhood immunization programs provide a very high return on investment. Vaccination services prevent illnesses, which reduce direct health costs and save millions of shillings in indirect costs, a fact I know Secretary Macharia appreciates. More importantly, vaccination services save lives.

Cambodia has made substantial progress towards achieving its Millennium Development Goals, including reaching the targets for Goals 4 and 5 years ahead of the target dates. I would like to congratulate the Royal Government of Cambodia, in particular the Ministry of Health, for its leadership in these efforts. The deployment of midwives to all health facilities and the endorsement of the midwifery incentive scheme are recognized as driving forces behind this great success.

Regardless of where we work, we are driven by one core mission: to end extreme poverty and advance the dignity of every human being. Yet, we come together tonight at a time when this mission—and our values—are being tested. Across the globe, millions of children—especially girls—are facing daunting threats.

Syria’s children continue to endure relentless dangers, from barrel bombs to extremist militias. India’s girls risk their lives every time they fetch water or visit latrines. And Nigeria’s children are finding school a target for terrorists rather than a sanctuary for learning. All it takes it one look around the world to see that our joint efforts and advocacy are more critical than ever.

Honorable Henry Rotich, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury; Honorable Michael Kamau, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure; Lucy Mbugua Managing Director of the Kenya Airports Authority; other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is a great honor to be with you.